Original subtitles

[ laughing ]

If I were you, I would have done

More than a little Kissing by now.

The wedding's In just a few days.

I'm sure karpen Won't back away from you.

Karpen's not Really himself lately,

Since these troubles started -- He's got a lot on his mind.

I think that would make Him want to get closer to you.

Maybe he feels that way inside.

Yeah.

I'm sure he does.

[ strange noise ]

What was that?

Do you think--

No. Not in daylight.

They never come in the daylight.

[ laughing ]

We were worried -- After all, we're with you.

Some people say

You're safe from the attacks

Because karpen Is the spirit healer.

I'm going in.

You coming?

So you see, the idea is

You can't swim In the same river twice.

Why not? I do It all the time.

Not exactly. You see, The river isn't the same river.

The river has changed. Everything changes.

Nothing stays the same.

Oh, so that's Why you keep

Getting lost -- Even though you

Very clever -- what I'm talking About is a new way to look at

And to understand The world -- see, you can

Take a step in the river today--

And we're going to.

Right now.

[ laughing ]

This is excellent -- This means I can show you

Exactly what I was talking about.

What happened?

Looks like it was killed By another crocodile.

Strange. Animals don't Usually kill their own kind.

No. Only humans do that.

Marika!

Help!

Marika!

Marika!

Marika!

Help.

[ gasping ]

-hurry, hurry. -dar, hurry, hurry, move.

Come on, dar.

Come on. Hurry up.

-dar, dar. -that's it.

Dar.

In an age when nature And magic rule the world...

There is An extraordinary legend:

The story of a warrior

Who communicates with animals,

Who fights sorcery And the unnatural.

His name is dar, Last of his tribe.

He's also called...

How is she?

I don't like The look of this wound.

What did that Crocodile have to say?

It wouldn't talk To me -- how far

-is your village? -just up river.

Will she die?

Not if my friend Can help it.

I'll need a bowl of water and A clean cloth for a poultice.

He's the beastmaster.

Beastmaster!

Are you the beastmaster?

Yes.

Maybe the fates sent you To help us stop the attacks.

What, there have been others?

Up until now, only at night.

But if they start attacking Us in the daylight, too,

Soon there won't Be any of us left.

Dar.

Have you heard of poisonous

-crocodiles? -poison?

The wound has a venom in it.

Oh.

The bite marks are different.

I don't know any animal That leaves a wound like this.

That crocodile I fought Didn't attack this girl.

Must have been Something else in the water.

What?

I don't know.

Will she make it?

Well, she's strong. She's fighting it.

Maybe when she comes around She can tell us something.

The gods are against us.

How many more Young women?

Do we have to lose?

It had to be One of the phantoms.

The phantom crocodiles -- They come at night

And steal our young women.

Nobody sees them -- Nobody who lives

To tell about it.

What was done to stop them?

Our best young men

Go out at night and stand guard,

But it doesn't seem To stop the attacks.

Can you help us?

All right.

I'm going back down to the river

To find out why the Crocodiles wouldn't talk.

I'm sure it has something to Do with what's happening here.

I'll do what I can.

What are you doing to her?

I'm trying to draw Poison. She needs--

Don't tell me What she needs.

If she needs Healing, I'll do it.

By stopping venom From seizing her

Heart, she'll probably Live -- she's strong.

-did you see what attacked her? -no.

Dar pulled her From the river and whatever

-it was didn't surface. -it was the phantoms.

I know how to treat her.

You can leave.

She needs incantations

To heal her spirit.

I have nothing against Spiritual healing, but

This poultice is Drawing out the poison,

So why bother your gods?

I said, get out!

Karpen!

He is the beastmaster's friend.

He is here to help us.

We don't need his help.

Well, we need the beastmaster's.

There's nothing He can do either.

Well, let's Hope you're wrong.

Because you and The others haven't

The gods are angry with us -- Creatures are attacking

Because we won't Show them respect.

We're not going Back to the old ways.

Where's the beastmaster now?

Trying to help you.

Just like I am.

They are betrothed.

Karpen is our spirit healer.

He and marika were to Be married under the new moon

Three days from now.

Who are these gods he's talking About and why are they angry?

Our people once

Worshipped The crocodile god.

Karpen is too young To understand that

As bad as things Are now, those...

...Those days Were far, far worse.

I know that what I am doing can help her.

Let him do

His work, karpen.

Go!

If she dies...

You die.

Karpen!

Anything to drive These people away.

The beastmaster and his Friend have come to help us.

It could be a Sign from gods

Let's see if they Do anything first.

Then give them a chance.

Nothing we've tried Has stopped the attacks.

You know how to stop them --

And so do I.

The old ways were wrong.

Then why do so many of us die?

Surprised?

But you're glad to see me.

As always.

What's a girl got to do to Keep you focused on her charms?

Just be yourself.

What are you Doing here, iara?

This is my domain.

Something's stalking the Fishing village up the river.

When death comes stalking, I always look

What the humans are doing first.

Maybe you should do the same.

Every torch must be lit.

More torches here.

More torches here.

Karpen and the other Young men do this every night.

But every night, somebody's Still taken from the village

And they come back empty-handed.

Where's your friend, The beastmaster?

I thought he was Going to help us.

He will.

Now you'll see what

Horrors the night brings.

When you look into my eyes, What do you see, hmm?

If you were honest, You'd know it's what you see

When you look Into your own heart.

Leave me alone -- there's Something I've got to do.

You're going to stay Out here all night?

If I have to.

There's nothing You can do to help them,

Dar.

Don't even try.

Who are you?

Tao.

Is it night?

-yes. -put out the torches.

-no one can know we're in here. -we're safe.

We're safe. Nobody can get in.

No one is safe.

[ twig snapping ]

[ wailing ]

No!

Don't go out there.

[ screaming ]

[ screaming ]

Two young women were taken.

Start searching everywhere.

What happened to you?

Did they take Marika too?

No. No.

Maybe karpen Was right.

Maybe the gods Are angry with us.

-which way did they go? -they vanished.

Like always.

Karpen. They've been here.

They always seem to know where

We're lying in wait And attack elsewhere.

-how many were taken? -two.

Marika is safe.

Where were you?

What did You do to help?

Obviously not enough -- But I think we can go

-after them -- together, we-- -together we can what?

Search for the scent of a ghost?

-they leave no trail. -the women could leave tracks.

There's never any Trace of anyone taken.

But you're the beastmaster.

You can ask the owls If they saw anything.

Karpen!

Listen.

The beastmaster is our friend.

They looked like crocodiles. All teeth and claws.

Except they walked On hind legs, carrying

Women off on their Backs, not their mouths.

We know they're Not crocodiles.

Not from the Natural world, anyway.

Where are they taking The victims, and why?

The village worships A crocodile god -- karpen says

He's angry because There are no sacrifices.

Phantoms...Iara.

Now crocodile gods.

-iara? -yeah.

What does she say about this?

Well, nothing helpful.

How's the girl?

Has she told You anything?

No. She could go either way.

Karpen's not happy I'm treating her.

I don't think there's Much he's happy about. Just...

Try and stay out of his way.

How do we know he's not Helping our attackers?

Because the beastmaster Is a man of honour.

-we all know he's half animal. -you know not what you say.

My bride was attacked.

The phantoms attack, He happens to arrive late.

We were attacked before He came to the village.

Then maybe he's taken The creature's side against us.

I've been

A spirit healer too long to

Believe he just Happened to come here.

[ rustling ]

And if the beastmaster's Not up to something...

Why is his friend spying on us?

I'm not spying On anyone.

Put this weasel In the prison hut.

We're going to hunt his friend.

-that's a bad idea. -I know what I'm doing.

I'm doing it for The village's good.

You're making A mistake.

Dar is not responsible For any of this.

Everything's going To be all right.

I promise -- if they'd Only listened to me,

None of this Would have happened.

The gods don't want You to die, marika --

They just want us to show them

The respect they demand.

Please...

Keep fighting.

I don't want to lose you.

Karpen, hurry -- we'll lose him.

We know this jungle better than Anyone -- we'll have him before

He even sees us. Let's go.

You have to change The herb poultice

Or marika will die.

You can't Let her die.

[ roaring ]

Nice work.

What game are You playing, iara?

Don't you think it's Interesting that the very people

You're trying to help Are hunting you down?

Why do you continue to insist That humans are worth helping?

Maybe because I'm human.

I can help you get over that Little problem quick enough.

Together, we can make This paradise again.

Maybe later.

I have some work I have to do.

Looking for The young women?

-where are they? -you won't find them.

Nobody ever will.

Because they were Sacrificed to a crocodile.

Very good.

A one-eyed crocodile, actually.

Where will I find him?

Not far. Down river.

Why are you suddenly Being so helpful?

You might learn something From him.

He's like me.

He doesn't have A lot of respect for humans.

He's a better Sacrifice if he's alive.

Guards.

Where were you?

This will help, but I need To find some stronger herbs.

No, don't go...

Please.

I need the stronger herbs To combat the poison.

I thought it was venom, But if it was...

I've seen the symptoms before In sleeping potions.

-calanga. -what? -it's a potion

My people once used To make the crocodiles

Sleep while we fished.

-is there an antidote? -mm-hmm.

The weeping blossom.

It grows down by the riverbank.

I'm, I'm going to Find this herb.

Just if...If dar arrives, just

Tell him, tell him He's in danger.

From who?

Karpen.

He's a good man.

I don't know why he'd hurt us. We want to help.

The whole village

Is frightened.

He's our spirit healer, But there is

Nothing he can do.

I'm going to find this herb.

I'll be back as soon as I can.

Weeping blossom.

Impressive.

Very impressive.

That old crocodile likes you,

And he doesn't like very much.

Why didn't you say They were starving?

You didn't ask.

Some of them are so hungry

They're eating each other; It shames them.

That's why the one I thought

Attacked marika Wouldn't talk to me.

He's ashamed for what He must do to survive.

At least he survived.

How can fish just Disappear from a river, iara?

If that old crocodile Can't tell you, what makes

-you think I can? -he's just a crocodile.

He's concerned with things That affect crocodiles.

You're concerned with everything That affects your domain.

That's very flattering.

There's something You're not telling me.

I'm a woman. I'm allowed To keep a few secrets.

And there are some things with Which you shouldn't interfere.

Walk away.

You know there's A balance in nature.

I'd say they look pretty hungry.

What do you think?

Oh, don't try and talk to them.

I told them not to.

Why are you doing this?

If you promise to forget About the village

And leave, they'll leave too.

You'd let your creatures eat me?

If that's what It takes to stop you

From interfering, then, yes.

Just leave, dar. That's all you have to do.

Tao?

You're looking so much better.

Thanks to you And your friend.

Where is he?

Here.

I found the phantoms.

Only they're not phantoms, They're men.

But they leave no trail.

That's 'cause you're Looking for crocodile tracks.

You see, what's happening Is they're coming into

The village at night, But their footprints

Are blending in With the other people's here.

Karpen will Be relieved.

He didn't catch up With you, did he?

He tried.

We have to fortify The village before nightfall.

You have to let the people know

That you're dealing with men.

And if we work together And we prepare for this,

We will beat them.

I told karpen you were on our Side. Thank you, my friend.

-you've done good work on her. -she's lucky I found the

Right plant -- lucky That dam's there--

-what dam? -just up the river.

The weeping blossom was there.

-tell me about the dam. -not much to tell.

It blocks up the river, A little of water gets through.

That's why there's No fish in it.

The dam's cutting off The crocodile's food source.

Marika...

-who built the dam? -the elders.

It made fishing easier For everybody.

The fish are trapped and you

Don't have to look For crocodiles.

We'll have to Take it down.

-why? -the crocodiles are starving.

That's why you're People are being

Offered up as sacrifices By the phantoms.

A one-eyed crocodile Who is too hungry to turn away.

Why would your People do this?

Years ago, before my time, young Women were sacrificed to the

Crocodiles so they'd leave Enough fish for the village.

There's a Ceremonial ground

-down the river. -but who are these phantoms?

What I want you to do Is to tell karpen to get all

The people In the village and put them in

The one area that can Be protected -- then surround

It with all The torches you can find, ok?

Ok.

So, what are you going to do?

Take down the dam.

Ok, I'll get my things.

I'll meet you down there.

Karpen.

The medicine's worked.

-who set you free? -we have no time for hostility.

Dar's brought Good news.

-where is he now? -he's gone to the dam.

That's the cause Of the trouble.

You don't know What you're talking about.

Come. You too.

I'll show you what This is really about.

Where are You taking us?

We should be organizing the Village against another attack.

They're here.

These two will do for tonight.

Karpen!

You're one of them?

Why?

Take her away.

All right.

You're making a big mistake.

My mistake was not Getting rid of you sooner,

-you and your meddling friend. -dar won't let you do this.

By the time he comes for you, You'll be dead.

You didn't somehow

Suggest that the villagers Build this dam?

No, they thought this up All by themselves.

For creatures with brains,

They certainly don't use them.

They never give any thought as

To what harm Their actions will do

To those that live around them.

Help me take it down.

You'd rather have your own Creatures starve, or worse,

-feed on each other? -they'll see it was worth it.

Besides, sometimes

This whole guardian Of nature bit gets tiresome.

It never made Curupira tired.

Well, she didn't have Much imagination,

-she protected her domain. -I'm protecting it too...

In my own way.

It's something

You might want to do for some Of your human friends.

The phantoms have Gone back to the village?

They were always there, dar.

Haven't you figured That out yet?

It's karpen.

That's the beauty Of all this.

The villagers Are being taken by their own.

The fate their dam visited on

My crocodiles Has come back to haunt them.

Maybe that will teach them To finally leave

My domain alone.

I'm sorry I got you Involved in this.

You didn't. Karpen did.

He always talked about The old religion.

He said the village had

Grown fat and we'd lost Our respect for the gods

And our need to serve them.

He was teaching You a lesson.

One day a crocodile Attacked a woman

Karpen said it was a sign That the old gods were angry.

No one believed him.

I've never seen him so angry.

Why go this far?

He said that if we didn't mend Our ways, a terrible punishment

Would be Visited upon us.

Mm-hmm. His respect among Some of the men began to grow.

And they brought Offerings to seek

Protection for Their young women.

He said the offerings Meant he could care for me

And now I see their fear meant More to him than anything,

Even more than me.

Why do you do this To yourself, dar?

Why not let nature

-take its course? -if you'd help me,

We could stop All of them from suffering,

Both the humans And the crocodiles.

Well, life's Tough, isn't it?

Not much in this world lives Unless something else dies.

Phew, it's a hard Balance to maintain.

So you increase the killing?

You've got to admit,

It's a very elegant plan.

Your own version Of a balance of nature.

[ laughing ]

Yes...And it's Working perfectly.

[ chanting in foreign language ]

You get near the water.

-I'll jump the closest to you. -no.

There's no Choice -- dive in,

Swim, I'll Do what I can

-to distract the crocodile -it's suicide.

We have no Other option.

Why are you doing this, karpen?

This is Our religion.

I'm the spirit leader Of our tribe.

This is the old way.

We left all this behind.

That's why all Our trouble started.

Your trouble started With that dam.

Don't speak of things You don't understand.

A savage god, they need Spiritual leadership.

When things are easy, they Forget to respect their gods.

Or forget about A spirit healer?

What kind of spirit healer

Kills his own people Or poisons his intended?

She would have survived -- and All those who didn't believe

In me would have been silenced.

Too bad you and your friend Showed up when you did.

-it's not too late to stop-- -silence!

Prepare yourself to die well.

Take them to the water.

Karpen, no!

Move it!

Give it up, dar. It's hopeless!

If I can break the dam,

The crocodiles Will have enough food.

The killing will stop.

It stops when I say It stops and not before.

If you want to prevent Any more bloodshed

Maybe there are A couple humans you should be

Thinking about instead of this.

-what do you mean? -tao...

And that pretty girl From the village.

This dam will last longer Than they will.

Who's it going to be, dar?

Can't save everyone.

No-o-o-o!

He won't listen to you.

I said no, stop helping him!

I said no!

No-o-o-o!

You see -- Sometimes both animals

And humans know better than Those who try to control them.

[ screaming ]

[ panting ]

Nice entrance.

What did you say To that crocodile?

That the fish are Back and that karpen's men

Were responsible For starving them.

That one was Going to kill me.

Tao, you know It wasn't personal.

I'm sorry.

Iara...It looks like Things worked out

For both the humans...

And the Crocodiles.

Thanks to you -- Left to their own devices,

The humans would have destroyed Themselves eventually.

Hmm, maybe next time.

Let's get back to the village.

Hey...Hey, they're back.

It will be good To go out fishing again.

It's the way fishing Was meant to be.

It's better than Being attacked.

Thank you, my friend, thank you.

You will...

Return, if you can?

I have to -- There are many

Powerful Medicines here.

Thank you...Both of you.

Thank you.

She's become Very attached to you.

People always feel close To people that heal them.

Besides, with everything That's happened,

She has much to think about.

Oh, I guess That fits with

Your philosophy About the river.

How so?

Well, she'll be Different the

Next time You see her.

The river may change, dar,

But it's still a river.

Ow...Ow!

Captions performed by The national captioning centre